(no subject)

[cblj_backup]

Hello from Las Vegas!

Apparently I forgot to tell everyone I was going to Las Vegas. So! I'm going to Las Vegas.

Actually I have gone to Las Vegas. I am currently there. My hotel room could easily host a dinner party with orgy to follow, not that I'm planning on it. Although it is Vegas. You never know. (I have a balcony with a view of the Bellagio fountain, it's basically amazing. And kind of horrifying.

I'm here on a work-sponsored trip to a professional conference, which I think is really the way to do Vegas, because for all the talk of what a giant entertainment complex it is, unless you really love slots or drinking, it's not the place for you. So this way I go to the conference all day, and I have limited time at night so i don't feel bad if I don't get the full Vegas experience.

On the other hand there's a lot of anxiety tacked on to attending this conference; it's my first, plus it's being paid for by work, and while I know I don't HAVE TO PROVE MYSELF, I still have to prove myself. Feeling in over one's head is a frequent sensation when you're striving for high-achievement while suffering low self-esteem. The upshot is that I have to do well at this conference, be a credit to my team, and learn new things. I've given myself a pass on networking because I'm still so new, and as a team we're pretty well-networked, and it's not like I'm going to be looking for a job in the next two years at least (oh god I hope). But there's still a lot of pressure and anxiety wrapped up in this.

I just have to remember that it's basically grad school lite. You go to the sessions, you take notes, you eat, you rest. Everything else will fall into place.

Comments

[mamculuna.livejournal.com]

My own experience with conferences was that networking was really the main event. So don't do it now, but notice how everyone else is doing it and take notes on that. And probably there will be people who'll want to network with you, whether you are really interested or not.

[digitalemur.livejournal.com]

Yeah, this.

[sunlitshadow.livejournal.com]

I recommend seeing a Cirque show. Mystere (at Treasure Island, not far from you) is by far my favorite of the Vegas shows (and is one of the most reasonably priced since it's not a 'gimmick' show, like LOVE or Michael).

[tabaqui]

Heee.
Horrifying is exactly the world I would use to describe Las Vegas.

Enjoy your downtime!

[ysabet.livejournal.com]

I lived in Vegas for three years (did you know that the name means 'the meadows'?) and found out that the best thing in Vegas, if you don't happen to love slots and casinos, is outside the city to the west. You get on Charleston and drive until you reach Calico Basin, a teeny little picnicking area to the right with some really nice petroglyphs and a year-round spring; you keep going (watching out for wild burros, because they *will* trot right in front of your car) and 11 miles out from the city limits you'll see Red Rock State Park on your right. The turnoff takes you to a beautiful 13-mile loop of hilly road in the middle of bacon sandstone, canyons, cliffs, petroglyphs, wild horses, more damn burros, gorgeous patches of uncut forest and some really beautiful boulder-hopping territory.

I hiked that place so many times that I literally cannot guess how many hundreds of days I've spent there out of the roughly 1000 days I lived in the city; I got to know it like I've never known any other patch of wilderness, and it's a beautiful, marvelous place.

[a-boleyn.livejournal.com]

I was going to call it "The Vegas Experience Lite" but your name works too. :)

[jonaht.livejournal.com]

Welcome to Vegas! A day never goes by without a conference/convention going on. Just be yourself. You're a bright man whom they trusted to represent. They all ready have confidence in you so just relax, take some notes, and enjoy.

I thought that view looked familiar from your balcony before I read you were here. It confused me for moment. lols. I'm glad you made it to one of my favorite casino, Caesar's. I always take guests there to see the sights. If you can, catch the Neptune Fall of Atlantis show that's free in the forum shops. I took my brother and he loved it. http://www.vegas.com/attractions/on-the-strip/caesars-atlantis-fountain/

[adelheide.livejournal.com]

Wow, the last time I was in Vegas, it was still sleazy and owned by the Mob. Yes, I am that old.

Networking is my idea of Hell, so I feel your pain there. But you're going to be fine. Your employer likes you and values you, which is miles ahead of what most people have, so you'll be a-okay.

[abby1000.livejournal.com]

You should still try to have some fun. People watching is free and can be a hoot!

I was in Vegas for a conference last month, not my favorite location for this particular organization though.

[athenejen]

I care not for slots or drinking, but some friends of mine live there now and so I've been a few times. They are really into food and so am I, and I have to say, there is some darn good food in that town, both on and off the Strip.

There is also Bauman Rare Books, which is amazing.

Other worthy eye candy: Jean-Philippe Patisserie, the Bellagio "garden" and Chihuly flower ceiling, Kiki de Montparnasse.

[agoodshinkickin.livejournal.com]

If the jetlag isn't too bad, you have the disposable cash, and find the time you should check out Cirque du Soleil's O.
It's amazing.

Also eat. A lot. The food in Vegas is amazeballs.

[tikiera.livejournal.com]

I highly recommend taking in a Cirque show. Also, we vacation in Vegas when we can (not that often) because of the amazing places to eat, all the free things to do and see, and the neat things that do cost a bit of money (I go sit under the sharks for a bit at the Aquarium in Treasure Island - it always makes me fee at peace).

If you want suggestions, I have a list of things we did and haven't done yet somewhere.